-By LeN Diplomatic Editor
(Lanka-e-News -12.May.2025, 11.00 PM) In a landmark appointment, Sri Lankan academic and security expert Asanga Abeyagoonasekera has been named to the Board of Directors of the Millennium Project, a globally renowned think tank specializing in future studies and strategic foresight. This appointment marks the first time a Sri Lankan has joined the board, underscoring Abeyagoonasekera's significant contributions to the field.
Abeyagoonasekera joined the Millennium Project in 2022 as a Senior Fellow and currently serves as the Executive Director of the South Asia Foresight Network (SAFN), a platform dedicated to advancing strategic foresight and regional collaboration in South Asia. His appointment to the board recognizes his outstanding work in enhancing the institute's South Asia network.
Born in Colombo in 1977, Abeyagoonasekera's career spans academia, public service, and policy research. He has held senior leadership roles, including Director General of the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) under the Ministry of Defence and Executive Director of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI). His academic credentials include studies at Harvard Kennedy School and Edith Cowan University, and he has served as a visiting professor and lecturer at various institutions, including Northern Kentucky University and the University of London in Sri Lanka.Wikipedia
In addition to his academic and policy work, Abeyagoonasekera founded the Dirisaviya Foundation in 2012, a non-profit organization that operates initiatives such as ipaidabribe.lk, a crowdsourced anti-corruption platform, and projects promoting global dignity among schoolchildren. He has also been involved in launching mobile applications and conducting memorial lectures to honor national heroes.Wikipedia
Abeyagoonasekera's expertise in national security came to the forefront following the devastating Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019. Coordinated suicide bombings targeted churches and luxury hotels, resulting in 270 deaths and over 500 injuries. The attacks were carried out by members of the National Thowheeth Jama'ath, with links to international terrorist organizations.Wikipedia
As the Director General of INSSSL at the time, Abeyagoonasekera had compiled and submitted Monthly Threat Forecasts (MTFs) to the Sri Lankan government, warning of the growing extremist threat. Reports from March and October 2017, and January 2019, highlighted the buildup of radicalization and the discovery of explosives, urging authorities to investigate external links and funding sources of the groups involved.
Despite these warnings, Abeyagoonasekera noted that there was little to no response from the government. In a 2021 interview, he revealed that the reports were intended for the President's review, but he received no feedback or indication that the information was acted upon. He expressed frustration over the lack of prioritization of national security threats and the politicization of intelligence information.
The attacks had a profound personal impact on Abeyagoonasekera, who was present at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo during the bombings. His family witnessed the aftermath, leading to lasting trauma. In the wake of the tragedy, he was invited to present his findings to the National Security Council and met with President Maithripala Sirisena to discuss the pre-attack warnings. The President expressed regret over not having seen the reports and questioned the conduct of officials responsible for national security.
Abeyagoonasekera has continued to advocate for improved national security measures and transparency. He has criticized the politicization of intelligence and the failure to act on credible threats. His work emphasizes the need for strategic foresight and proactive policy-making to prevent such tragedies in the future.
In his new role on the Millennium Project's Board of Directors, Abeyagoonasekera is poised to contribute his extensive experience in strategic foresight and security analysis to global policy discussions. His appointment not only recognizes his past contributions but also positions him to influence future strategies on a global scale.
As the world grapples with complex security challenges, voices like Abeyagoonasekera's, grounded in experience and foresight, are essential in shaping resilient and informed policies.
-By LeN Diplomatic Editor
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by (2025-05-12 17:51:44)
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